Electrical stimulation is an established method that is used to improve muscle strength. The present study compared changes in the navicular drop test (NDT), muscle size, the five times sit to stand (5TSTS) test, the timed up and go (TUG) test, and the risk of falls in response to transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) plus short foot exercise (SFE) and SFE alone in 68 healthy elderly participants aged 65–75 years. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: TENS plus SFE and SFE alone (with sham TENS). Measurements of NDT, muscle size, 5TSTS, TUG, and risk of falls were made before and after 4 weeks of training. The NDT was significantly improved by a median of 0.31 mm in the TENS plus SFE group and 0.64 mm in the SFE alone group (p < 0.001). Similarly, there was a significant improvement in Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I), 5TSTS, and TUG for both groups (p < 0.001). The abductor hallucis muscle size increased by 0.23 cm² in the TENS plus SFE group and 0.26 cm² in the SFE alone group (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups for any variables (p > 0.05) except TUG, which showed a greater improvement in the TENS plus SFE group (p = 0.008). Our findings demonstrated that TENS plus SFE and SFE alone improved intrinsic foot muscle size. However, TENS plus SFE tended to improve NDT more than SFE alone, particularly in cases of severe muscle weakness. Thus, the combined use of TENS plus SFE could be recommended for muscle strengthening and balance programs for fall prevention in older adults.

This study investigated the changes in fascicle length (FL), musculotendinous unit (MTU) stiffness, muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2), and muscular performance following a single bout of a combination of static stretching (SS) or dynamic stretching (DS) with foam rolling (FR), SS only, and eccentric exercise (ECC) only in young men with hamstring tightness. Twenty-five men (20.5 ± 1.5 years) participated in a crossover randomized study of the four conditions (DS+FR, SS+FR, SS, and ECC); each session was spaced seven days apart. FL, MTU stiffness during the straight leg raise (SLR), hamstring SmO2, and isometric and eccentric torque were measured before, immediately and 30 min after exercise. Immediately after exercise, the SLR increased significantly by means of 7.4% (d = 1.07), 6% (d = 1.27), 6% (d = 1.10), and 8% (d = 1.04, all p < 0.001) for DS+FR, SS+FR, ECC, and SS, respectively. FL was longer after exercise under all four conditions (p < 0.05). MTU stiffness decreased after ECC (p = 0.038, d = 0.40). SmO2 tended to decrease for ECC (p > 0.05), but it was increased immediately after those three exercises. Hamstring isometric torque was significantly reduced by an average of 6–9%, but eccentric torque changes varied among conditions. In conclusion, substantial and similar immediate increases in hamstring flexibility, coupled with reduced isometric torque following various exercises, were accompanied by condition-specific alterations in fascicle length, MTU stiffness, or SmO2. These findings provide practical insights for acutely enhancing range of motion in individuals with tight hamstrings.

Loss of functional movement capacity in older adults is related to adverse changes in musculotendinous morphology, but this relationship is poorly understood. This study examined the associations between musculotendinous morphology and functional movements, flexibility, and balance ability. Ninety-nine older women (66.6 ± 4.6 years, body mass index 23.5 ± 3.3 kg∙m^–2) were recruited from Chonburi Province, Thailand. During one 90-min visit, muscle ultrasound imaging of vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and medial gastrocnemius muscles, and tendon ultrasonography of the Achilles tendon and patellar tendon were performed. Measures were also obtained for the straight leg raise, passive dorsiflexion, balance, and functional tests (Five Times Sit to Stand (5TSTS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), 10-Meter Fast Walk Test (10-MFWT), and 6-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT)). The results specify that functional movement performance correlates most strongly with medial gastrocnemius muscle thickness (5TSTS (r = −0.26), TUG (r = −0.44), 10-MFWT (r = 0.41), and 6-MWT (r = 0.48) all p < 0.05) and that vastus lateralis muscle thickness and medial gastrocnemius muscle thickness correlate positively with balance ability (r = 0.24, 0.34; p < 0.05) and negatively with fear of falling. It appears that muscle mass, rather than other morphological parameters, such as muscle quality or fascicle length, is the main factor affecting the susceptibility of older women to frailty.

Focused-extracorporeal shockwave therapy (fESWT) has recently been applied in the management of chronic pain. However, its effectiveness in reducing muscular stiffness and pain among office workers has not been extensively studied. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of fESWT and sham-fESWT in alleviating muscular stiffness, pain, and functional disability. Sixty-four office workers (mean age 31.4 ± 9.5 years) with myofascial pain syndrome of the upper trapezius were randomly and equally assigned to receive either the fESWT or sham-fESWT. The interventions were administered once a week for 4 weeks, with 4 Hz frequency and a total energy of 0.10.232 mJ/mm². Measurements were recorded at baseline, immediately after treatment, at two weeks, and at four weeks, assessing shear modulus (tissue stiffness), visual analogue scale (VAS), and the neck disability index (NDI). The result demonstrated a significant acute decrease in shear modulus at the trigger point (6.1 kPa, p = 0.009) and a delayed reduction in muscle stiffness of the lower aponeurosis (5.3 kPa, p = 0.004) following 4 weeks. Additionally, VAS scores decreased at all time points following fESWT (p < 0.05), while the sham-fESWT group also demonstrated reductions during the final two weeks. NDI showed a decrease in both groups after four sessions (p < 0.05), with no group effect. fESWT was effective in reducing muscular pain, stiffness, and functional disability in patients. However, the potential psychological effects of sham-fESWT on VAS and function should be considered. Further research is necessary to determine the optimal treatment sessions and intensity of fESWT to better establish its efficacy.

Introduction: Intrinsic foot muscle weakness is a crucial cause of balance deficit in the elderly, which leads to a limited range of motion from the fear of falling and subsequently decreases the quality of life. Muscle strengthening via transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS) is an effective intervention; however, its effects on elderly people have rarely been reported. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of TENS on navicular height, balance, and fear of falling. Method: In this study, forty-eight participants aged 65–75 years were included and were randomly divided into two groups: the TENS and control groups. Before and after 4 weeks of training, navicular height, balance, and fear of falling were measured. Result: After 4 weeks of training, navicular height significantly increased in both groups (p < 0.05); however, the increase was higher in the TENS group (p = 0.035). The TENS group had a better improvement in balance in all four directions—front, back, left, and right (p < 0.05). However, postural balance improvements in the control group were observed in three directions only—front, back, and left (p < 0.05)—without any significant difference between the two groups. Furthermore, the TENS group decreased the scale of fear of falling after 4 weeks of training (p = 0.039). Conclusion: In summary, the results of this study can be used as part of the muscle strengthening via ES for decreasing the risk of falls or fear of falling in the elderly.

Background/Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of flexibility or strengthening exercises to improve flexibility, strength, muscle architecture, and functional performance in older adults with leg tightness and/or suspected sarcopenia. Methods: Ninety adults with leg tightness and/or suspected sarcopenia (age: 66.8 ± 4.9 years) were randomly allocated to two subtypes of intervention at home: resistance-band exercise (RE) or eccentric exercise (ECC) for those with weakness; static or dynamic stretching for those with tightness; and static stretching plus ECC or no exercise for those with both muscle tightness and weakness. The program consisted of 3–6 weekly sessions over eight weeks. Blinded outcome assessments before and after the eight-week program and at the three-month follow-up included mobility performance via Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), and flexibility and strength tests, as well as measurement of stiffness. Results: All groups had increased peak torque after eight weeks and improved TUG at the three-month follow-up (p < 0.05). Improved plantar flexor strength persisted at the three-month follow-up (p = 0.009). In addition, the RE and ECC groups had increased muscle thickness by 4.0 and 8.7% after eight weeks (p < 0.05). Hamstring flexibility increased in all exercise groups, except the RE group. Moreover, all six groups showed improved calf flexibility, whereas no changes in stiffness were noted. Conclusions: Increases in mobility performance, strength, and flexibility appeared due to learning effects and increased physical activity, rather than the specific training impact. However, strength-based programs may be recommended for older adults with suspected sarcopenia, as they provide additional benefits, such as short-lasting muscle hypertrophy.